Fall 2020 Plans
Through the past several weeks, we have appreciated your patience as we have worked to get to this point in answering your questions about how we will operate this coming fall. To that end, I am writing to share our plans for returning to campus in August. Details will continue to evolve, but our commitment to your health and to quality academic instruction remains paramount.
We are planning for a modified calendar which will prioritize the health and safety of the entire BU community, maximize the use of our classrooms for instruction while following social distancing guidelines, and allow us flexibility should there be a resurgence of COVID outbreaks during the coming year. We anticipate that our Fall 2020 semester will begin under GREEN status, and we will continue to adhere to health and safety guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as directives from the Governor’s Office and the Office of the Chancellor.
Our Fall 2020 semester will begin on Monday, Aug. 17, which is one week earlier than planned, and will consist of two condensed sessions, and one full semester. One-third of all courses will be offered within one of these three sessions. We will also offer a six-week online winter term.
As such, the 2020-2021 academic calendar will reflect the following dates:
Fall I — Aug. 17 to Nov. 24
Fall II — Aug. 17 to Oct. 6
Fall III — Oct. 7 to Nov. 24
Winter - Start and end dates still pending:
Spring I — Feb. 1 to March 23
Spring II — March 24 to May 14
Spring III — Feb. 1 to May 14
We are working toward the above adjusted calendar. Students will be receiving revised Fall course schedules with the full load spread out over the three sessions. We will notify students when the new schedule is ready for review.
As a reminder, Columbia County is currently operating in YELLOW status, per the Governor’s phased reopening plan. Operating in this phase, faculty may have access to spaces on campus to develop quality remote curriculum to students. Nursing and Allied Health Professions field experiences and face-to-face instruction are allowed to resume with a limit of 25 students in a face-to-face course. Individual departments will provide guidance for reporting under YELLOW status.
When Columbia County moves to GREEN status June 12, 2020, we will be permitted to resume face-to-face instruction using social distancing protocols. Although current summer courses will remain online, this fall will be a highly blended instructional model due to health and safety guidelines.
Finally, as mandated by the Governor’s Office, if Columbia County is placed in RED status, we will transition to remote instruction. Per Pennsylvania Department of Education guidance, exceptions to this transition would include programs preparing individuals for licensure and clinical training programs. Students in these programs would receive communication from their department as to how to report for clinical courses.
Over the coming weeks, we will make further announcements, so please continue to check our website and your e-mail for additional communications. Given the ever-changing nature of this virus, our plans may need to be altered.
I am grateful to our Provost, Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, our Acting Vice President for Student Affairs, Jim McCormack, and the planning task force committee members for their hard work and many hours of virtual meetings to craft this plan. I also thank our faculty, our students (members of the Community Government Association), and the various constituency groups with which the task force has met over the past several weeks to seek their input.
I hope these plans for the fall semester will provide clarity as we enter the summer months, and I thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these challenging times together.
Sincerely,
President Bashar W. Hanna